[EMSoccerCoach]

Going to start interjecting just a couple of articles into each edition. Some things deserve writeups more than a bullet point in a team report. And these last two weeks saw some biggies, including the first firing in PBL history.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009

[Jeff49]

Okay, I'm officially adopting the Arizona Sandmen as my team, seeing as how I live here anyway. And besides, with names like Kid Elberfeld, Pasty Tebeau, and especially, Pee Wee Butts, I figure I can't go wrong. I'll be out of town for a few days, so I expect the Sandmen to still be in first place when I return, now that they have me to root for them.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by Jeff49

Okay, I'm officially adopting the Arizona Sandmen as my team, seeing as how I live here anyway. And besides, with names like Kid Elberfeld, Pasty Tebeau, and especially, Pee Wee Butts, I figure I can't go wrong. I'll be out of town for a few days, so I expect the Sandmen to still be in first place when I return, now that they have me to root for them.

Welcome aboard, Jeff. Arizona's been tough. I have a feeling they are going to regret the Altrock/Elberfeld trade, though.

[kenyan_cheena]

Oy, the Hitmen went backwards again. Still gonna stick with 'em, though. Once I pick a team I never go back.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Oy, the Hitmen went backwards again. Still gonna stick with 'em, though. Once I pick a team I never go back.

Their report this issue may make you cry!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Change In New Orleans
Knights fire skipper LaRussa after 11-23 start

NEW ORLEANS -- When the struggling New Orleans Knights take the field this evening, welcoming in arguably baseball's best team in the Memphis Strummers, they will be doing so with a new manager.

Tony LaRussa was fired Monday afternoon after the team returned from being swept by the Alabama Airmen in a three-game set. The series saw brought the Knights' losing streak to five games, and ownership simply decided it couldn't wait any longer.

"It's disappointing on multiple levels," general manager Bill Jones said at the late morning news conference. "We have a great deal of respect for Tony, both personally and professionally. But the bottom line is we have been a bad team, and for whatever reason the combination of Tony and this group hasn't worked."

Sources close to the team indicate several factors led the axe to fall on LaRussa. For one, the front office can't get past the fact the team is fourth in batting average and third in on-base percentage, yet next to last in the Southern League in runs scored. New Orleans has two of the Southern League's top hitters in Sam Thompson and Ross Barnes, as well as the top pitcher in Doc McJames. And yet, not even a quarter of the way into the season, New Orleans finds itself 12 games out of first place.

"I'm more grateful for the job they gave me than I am saddened and upset by the firing," LaRussa said during a brief statement at the news conference. "This team has some great young talent that just hasn't developed yet. But it will."

The comment seemed to be LaRussa's defense of himself, and he had a point. B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder, Evan Longoria, Fred Carroll, Mark Prior and Rich Harden are all 22 or younger and stand great chances to succeed down the line, though they have been uneven to this point.

LaRussa was one of the first managers hired when the PBL formed, which makes his early termination a shock. The questions now are who replaces him and where does LaRussa end up.

Bench coach Kevin Jones will take over the reins on an interim basis. Names reportedly being considerd as permanent replacements include Billy Southworth, Danny Murtaugh and Jim Leyland.

As for destinations, Chicago and Los Angeles on the surface look most likely, though it's hard to imagine Chicago - as disappointing as they have been - will be as quick to blame manager Joe McCarthy for their struggles. If there's someone to watch, listen for rumblings regarding Jim Mutrie in Los Angeles.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)


Hitmen Taking Shot After Shot
Injuries the latest plight in disappointing season

CHICAGO -- The offense has been abyssmal, the defense porous and the pitching at best mediocre. So it's no surprise the Chicago Hitmen sit in the Northern League East Division cellar.

Still, two weeks ago, the team was coming off winning 5 of 6, the hope being that a turnaround could be in the air. Those thinking this, however, were sadly mistaken.

The quick two-game set with Memphis was supposed to be a jumpstart for Chicago. At the very least, they could split and venture home for an 8-game homestand, perhaps chipping away at Wichita's lead and letting fans know they were ready. Instead it became a house of horrors.

Ace Cy Young started the opener and made it until the fourth batter of the game before being lifted. But it wasn't performance, it was injury. Young has been diagnosed with elbow inflammation and is expected to miss a total of 6 to 8 weeks.

Less than 24 hours later, the red-hot Troy Tulowitzski went down in a heap running the bases. He had hit .500, going 8-for-16 with a double and two triples to start May, but Tulowitzski's season was over, as a hip injury will shelve him for the remainder of the year.

The Hitmen dropped both games in the series, then came home to be swept in three by New York as part of a 3-5 homestand. They stand now with two regulars batting over .220 (King Kelly at .316 and Albert Pujols at .282) and one pitcher with an ERA below 4 (closed Bobby Jenks at 2.00).

"It's been unreal," manager Joe McCarthy said with exasperation. "I take responsibility for my share of our struggles, but everything that can go wrong has."

If you're a fan of the Hitmen, hope seems a long way away right now. How long depends on the development of the PBLs best prospect pool, including five pitchers among the sport's Top 30 prospects. But for 2009, the Hitmen look to be left only to reload.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Their report this issue may make you cry!

I have decided to ,

otherwise I will .

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

I have decided to ,

otherwise I will .

Seven of the game's top 30 prospects. They'll get there, but I doubt it will be this year.

And now that I know the draft class (though I'm not revealing it yet) there will be a couple of big names to draft.

[BigMitch]

The Sheriffs remind me of the Atlanta Braves, great pitching but offense is hard to come by.

They have really seemed to take a fall.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by BigMitch

The Sheriffs remind me of the Atlanta Braves, great pitching but offense is hard to come by.

They have really seemed to take a fall.

Hard to pin it on one guy, but that Hugh Duffy has been so bad has really hurt this team. The cleanup hitter batting .194 is a real problem. Dropping 5 of 6 against Memphis and Orlando, the South's two best teams, hurt them, too. Their pitching will keep them around, but they need the offense to click for a while, especially Duffy.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Charlotte Cougars

Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-3), Overall 26-10

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 at Las Vegas, Won 2 of 3 at Sacramento, Lost both at Chicago, Swept 3 at New York

Leaders:
Avg - John McGraw .345
HRs - Paul Hines 6
RBIs - Paul Hines 31

Wins - Kid Nichols 8
ERA - Kid Nichols 2.70
Ks - Kid Nichols 61

Top Performance: Silver King threw a 4-hit shutout against Las Vegas on May 6, striking out 8 and walking 1.

Injuries: Fred Dunlap suffered a sports hernia on May 9, and is expected to miss 7 to 8 weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Josh Johnson has been outstanding, converting 6 of 7 save opportunities.

2) The assumption that Ben Sheets had taken the #5 starter role was premature, as he made no start between April 29 and May 17. But then he returned to the hill and allowed 1 earned run over 8 innings in a 7-3 win at New York.

3) The injury to Fred Dunlap will push Clint Barmes into the second base role. Manager Tommy LaSorda has thrown his support behind Barmes, but won't ask too much of him. "Catch the ball and do the fundamentals," LaSorda said when asked his expectations for Barmes.

4) Pitching continues to carry the Cougars, who lead the Southern League in pitching with a dominant 3.19 ERA. But after going 3-1 with a 2.11 ERA in April, Tim Keefe has gone 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA in May.

Chicago Hitmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-7), Overall 13-23

2-Week Synopsis: Lost both vs Memphis, Lost 3 vs New York, Swept 2 vs Charlotte, Lost 2 of 3 vs Sacramento

Leaders:
Avg - King Kelly .314
HRs - Albert Pujols 6
RBIs - Albert Pujols 28

Wins - George Bradley 4
ERA - Cy Young 3.86
Ks - George Bradley 52

Top Performance: Pink Hawley allowed 1 run over 8 innings in a 4-1 win over Charlotte May 14th.

Injuries: Cy Young was placed on the 15-day DL on May 5 with elbow inflamation. He's not expected to need surgery, but is expected to miss 6 to 7 weeks. The next day Troy Tulowitzski suffered a hip injury that is expected to shelve him for the remainder of the season.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Albert Pujols had a homer and 4 RBI over the last two weeks, and the Hitmen's 3-7 mark is further testament to Pujols being necessary for this team to win.

2) King Kelly leads the team in batting at .314, with Pujols second at .282. Third? Adam Dunn at .217.

3) The Hitmen committed 7 more errors in their past 10 games, raising their total to 37 in 36 games.

4) Despite struggles (allowing runs in his last three outings), Johan Santana is expected to take Cy Young's spot in the rotation. The ages of the rotation will then be 23, 19, 17, 21 and 21.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Sorry, backed up with work. Will update again in the next couple of days.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
Indianapolis Engines

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-4), Overall 18-18

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 at Alabama, Won 2 of 3 vs Philiadelphia, Lost both vs Louisville, Won 2 of 3 vs Wichita

Leaders:
Avg - Elmer Flick .353
HRs – Elmer Flick 5
RBIs - Elmer Flick 29

Wins - Jack Taylor, Pud Galvin 4
ERA - Pud Galvin 2.27
Ks - Charlie Buffinton 49

Top Performance: Nick Johnson, in only his third start of the year, went 2-for-3 with 2 homers - including a grand slam - 2 walks and 6 RBI in the Engines' 10-9 victory over Wichita on May 17.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Manager Frank Salee had a sit-down with a disgruntled Aaron Rowand that has apparently calmed the centerfielder for the moment. "I asked him who to sit and he had no answer," Salee said. "It's a good problem to have."

2) Perhaps a spot to work Rowand in now would be to give Billy Hamilton a rest. Hamilton has seen his average fall 75 points in two weeks to .291, and he's now 6 for 49 this month.

3) After trading for catcher Ossee Schreckengost, Indianapolis wanted to be patient as he worked through his struggles. But now hitting a measley .157, the team's patience may be at an end. So is Schreckengst's, as evidenced by his 38 strikeouts to 7 walks.

4) The bullpen has shaved its ERA down 3/4 of a run in the past two weeks. Rumor has it that despite his surprising work in the rotation so far, Victor Zambrano (3.58)is going to be shifted to the pen to help there. Candy Cummings (9.82) will get a turn or two in the rotation.


Louisville Racers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-5), Overall 15-21

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Arizona, Won 2 of 3 at Wichita, Swept 2 at Indianapolis, Lost all 3 at Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg – Dan Brouthers .373
HRs - Dan Brouthers 14
RBIs - Dan Brouthers 35

Wins - Roy Oswalt 6
ERA - Roy Oswalt 3.56
Ks - Roy Oswalt 66

Top Performance: Roy Oswalt allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 8 innings, striking out a season-high 13 batters in Louisville's 4-1 win over Indianapolis May 13.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) There's some concern that Edinson Volquez returned from the disabled list too soon. He gave up 6 runs over 5 innings in his first start back, but surrendered only a run over 6 innings his next time out. But in his last start he gave up 6 runs over 4 1/3 innings in a 9-7 loss at Philadelphia.

2) Will White has gotten a decision in all nine of his starts. The problem is that 8 of them are losses. After a strong spring, White has started off with a horrible April and an uneven May to this point. He's shown signs of improvement, but not to a sufficient degree.

3) An unsung hero on offense has been Lefty Marr, who is hitting .378 on the month and has now raised his average to .300 on the year.

4) After a rough April, young John Donaldson seems to be coming around. Pitching to a 6.75 ERA in April, Donaldson has posted a 3.48 ERA in three starts this month.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
New York Heroes

Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-6), Overall 18-17

2-Week Synopsis: Lost both at San Antonio, Swept 3 at Chicago, Split 2 at Sacramento, Lost all 3 vs Charlotte

Leaders:
Avg – Ed McKean .355
HRs - Roger Connor 6
RBIs – Jesse Burkett 30

Wins - Jim McCormick 5
ERA - Jim McCormick 1.82
Ks - Harry Howell 42

Top Performance: Jesse Burkett went 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles, scoring twice and driving in 6 in a 12-10 loss at Sacramento on May 11.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Jesse Burkett was named Northern League Player of the Week. Burkett hit .476 with 2 homers and 11 RBI for the week.

2) Ed McKean saw his hitting streak snapped at 20 games.

3) The Heroes hope David Wright is coming around. After batting .202 in April, Wright has hit .282 in May, though his walks and power numbers are below where they should be. "He's putting better swings on the ball, has a better approach," manager Pat Moran says. "The results will come."

4) The top 3 starters: Jim McCormick, Harry Howell and Red Ehret are 13-7. The rest of the staff is 5-10.

Philadelphia Ringers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-5), Overall 18-16

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Los Angeles, Lost 2 of 3 at Indianapolis, Lost both at Wichita, Swept 3 vs Louisville.

Leaders:
Avg - John O'Rourke .336
HRs - John O'Rourke 9
RBIs - John O'Rourke 26

Wins - Red Donohue, Old Hoss Radbourn 4
ERA - Red Donohue 2.47
Ks - Satchel Paige 71

Top Performance: Charley Jones hit 2 homers, accounting for both Philadelphia runs in a 2-1 win over Louisville on May 17.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) It may be early in the season to say this, but Philadelphia has a huge series this week in Charlotte. The 4-game set is vital for the Ringers, already 7 games out as Charlotte shows signs of running away with the division. Manager John Ward hopes the 3 game sweep of Louisville sets the Ringers up nicely for the series.

2) Red Donohue has made the most of his regular rotation spot, going 3-0 with a dazzling 1.08 ERA so far this month.

3) John O'Rourke has driven in only 2 runs in the past two weeks, despite keeping his average strong at .336.

4) The calls for replacements are getting louder, making it interesting to see how Ward plays the upcoming series at Charlotte. Victor Martinez is rotting away on the bench while Jocko Milligan has seen his average fall below .200. Similarly, fans seem to be calling for Ned Williamson (.198, 2 HR, 10 RBI) to head to the bench at third base in favor of Sol White (.273, 1 HR, 3 RBI in 1/4 of the ABs).

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Sacramento Stingers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-4), Overall 16-18

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 vs Orlando, Lost 2 of 3 vs Charlotte, Split 2 vs New York, Won 2 of 3 at Chicago

Leaders:
Avg – George Hall.369
HRs – George Hall 13
RBIs – George Hall 31

Wins - Jim Devlin 5
ERA - Jim Devlin 3.18
Ks - Jim Devlin 72

Top Performance: Arlie Latham went 4-for-4 with a stolen base and 3 runs scored in a 12-10 win over New York on May 11.

Injuries: The Stingers should get Ginger Beaumont back this week, fully recovered from his bicep strain. Sam Bankhead should also return at the end of the week. However, outfielder Cory Sullivan tore a ligament in his thumb on May 10 and will be out until at least early July.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The injury to Cory Sullivan was sad to see, as the young outfielder had done a remarkable job filling in for Ginger Beaumont since his injury. Sullivan had only 6 at bats in April, but since taking over in center after Beaumont's injury, Sullivan had hit .370 with 7 runs and 6 RBI.

2) The injury to Sullivan led to George Hall being moved to center and Jason Bay taking over in left field. But Bay struggled, going 2-for-16 since joining the lineup.

3) The Stingers continue to lead the Northern League with 41 homers.

4) The expected switch at closer was nullified when J.J. Putz was disabled with shoulder soreness. That left Brad Lidge with the opportunity to raise his game, and he has, converting his last 3 save opportunities.

Wichita Brigade

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-5), Overall 21-14

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs New Orleans, Lost 2 of 3 vs Louisville, Won 2 vs Philadelphia, Lost 2 of 3 at Indianapolis

Leaders:
Avg - Spotswood Poles .339
HRs - Spotswood Poles 5
BIs - Spotswood Poles 23

W - Rube Waddell 6
ERA - Rube Waddell 2.84
Ks - Rube Waddell 72

Top Performance: Oyster Burns went 2-for-4 with a homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI in an 8-1 victory over Philadelphia on May 11.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Jack Powell's return from injury has not gone as well as hoped. In his first game back, Powell gave up 8 runs - 7 earned - over 6 2/3 in a 10-1 loss to Louisville. He followed that effort by giving up 7 runs over 5 1/3 in a 10-9 loss at Indianapolis. When he got hurt, Powell's ERA was 1.72; it's now 4.15.

2) Manager Whitey Herzog decided to stick with Al Orth in the rotation when Powell returned despite the good start by Jake Westbrook. For now, Westbrook will serve in the setup role. Orth responded by throwing a complete game, allowing only 2 runs in a 14-2 drubbing of Philadelphia. "Jake's time will come," Herzog said, also noting Westbrook took the move well.

3) After 6 straight starts in which he earned the win - and in which he went at least 8 innings - Rube Waddell stumbled against allowing 5 runs over 6 innings in Indianapolis. He took it well, though: Wichita won the game 9-5.

4) Robinson Cano has turned it on this month, batting .388 with 3 homers, 6 RBI and 11 runs scored.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles

Alabama Airmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-4), Overall 18-19

2-Week Synopsis: Lost both vs Indianapolis, Won 2 of 3 vs Los Angeles, Split 2 vs Arizona, Swept 3 vs New Orleans

Leaders:
Avg - Joe Mauer .353
HRs - Mike Tiernan, George Van Haltren 8
RBIs - George Van Haltren 29

Wins - Joe Corbett 5
ERA - Joe Corbett 2.73
Ks – Joe Corbett 90

Top Performance: Mike Tiernan went 3-for-4 with 2 homers and 5 RBI in a 7-6 win over New Orleans May 15th.

Injuries: Bobby Lowe was injured March 27, tearing a ligament in his thumb. He's expected to be out until mid-June. George Van Haltren was put on the DL May 16th with back stiffness. He's expected to miss 2 weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The discomfort finally got to be too much for George Van Haltren, who is headed to the DL. Van Haltren was hitting .176 over a 2-week stretch with a homer and 3 RBI, looking awkward at the plate. It was revealed that Van Haltren had been fighting a stiff back, and the team decided to shelve him for a couple of weeks, hoping therapy can remedy the situation.

2) Ed Delahanty has kept it up, even without playing every day. He has played more regularly though, benefitting from the Van Haltren injury. And all he's done in the past two weeks is hit .429 (9-for-21). Delahanty should get regular time during the Van Haltren's DL stint. If he produces, expect him to get the first base job.

3) After starting 4-11, the Airmen have gone 14-8 since.

4) Ed Morris was finally pulled from the rotation after going 0-5 with a 7.93 ERA. The control-challenged Ted Breitenstein will replace him. Why Charlie Ferguson or C.C. Sabathia are not getting that spot is anyone's guess.

Arizona Sandmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-6), Overall 20-17

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Louisville, Lost 2 of 3 at New Orleans, Split 2 at Alabama, Lost 2 of 3 at Los Angeles

Leaders:
Avg – Nap Lajoie .323
HRs – Pete Hill 7
RBIs – Nap Lajoie, Pete Hill 23

Wins – Ben Sanders 5
ERA – Dan Casey 2.32
Ks – Clark Griffith 40

Top Performance: Billy Nash went 3-for-3 with 2 homers and 6 RBI in a 9-4 win at New Orleans.

Injuries: Alex Cintron, who was having a torrid spring, hitting .400, went down March 23 with a strained MCL. He is not expected back until at least early June. Mike Koplove came off the DL May 3, threw a third of an inning on May 4 and was shelved with what has been diagnosed as bicep tendinitis. The injury is expected to keep Koplove out until August.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Kid Elberfeld has played a flawless shortstop since he was acquired from New Orleans. Unfortunately for Arizona, he hasn't hit a lick, batting .167 since coming over.

2) Anibal Sanchez got the rotation spot freed by dealing Nick Altrock in the Elberfeld trade. He's gone 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA this month. Altrock has gone 0-3 with a 5.50 ERA since going to New Orleans.

3) Randy Choate (2 saves, 1.26 ERA) and closer Jose Valverde (1-0, 10 saves, 1.84 ERA) have anchored the bullpen following one of the league's best rotation (3.65 ERA).

4) Arizona heads for a 4-game set hosting the San Antonio Sheriffs. Pay attention to game 2: Ben Sanders vs Joe McGinnity should be a great pitchers duel.